Coffee Companion (10/30): your daily Ravens fix

Every morning, Monday through Friday, blogger Matt Vensel will hook you up with reading material -- mostly on the Ravens but with some other Baltimore sports stuff, too -- to skim through as you slug down coffee and slack off at the start of your workday. That way he’ll have an excuse to do the same to start his workday, too.

RUNNING IT BACK

Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Monday that the team isn’t making “wholesale” changes coming out of the bye week. … The Ravens have gotten key contributions from their 11-player rookie class. … The team’s injury reports are about to get longer. … Defenses have paid more attention to tight end Dennis Pitta recently. … Mike Preston says that getting defensive tackle Haloti Ngata healthy is the top priority coming out of the bye.

 

RAVENS STUFF, BUT NOT FROM US

Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said the Ravens offense needs to start playing better on the road. … Under Harbaugh, the Ravens have typically been strong in the second half of the season. … The Ravens need to start getting the ball to running back Ray Rice more after the bye week. … Harbaugh wouldn’t discuss trade possibilities with the deadline looming.

BEHIND ENEMY LINES

The Cleveland Browns need to be more offensive in the second half of the season. … Browns coach Pat Shurmur doesn’t care about winning pretty. … Browns players came to work Monday even though Shurmur gave them the option of taking the day off. … Browns tight end Alex Smith is doing double duty as a fullback.

SHAMELESS PLUG OF THE DAY

The Ravens held steady in my weekly NFL power rankings.

OUTSIDE OF BALTIMORE

The San Francisco 49ers easily defeated the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night. … Michael Vick, for now, is still the starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles. … The NFL pushed back the trade deadline due to Hurricane Sandy … Hurricane Sandy postponed the groin surgery for Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings, too. … The knee injury to Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill isn’t believed to be serious.